Planking construction for boats and the like



Nov. 10, 1964 Filed Dec. 18. 1961 INVENTOR. 4 271471 K aw United StatesPatent 3,156,216 PLANKING (IGNSTRUCTTGN FOR BOATS AND TEE LIKE Lyman R.Lyon, 1731 llassett Road, Royal Gait, Mitliil. Filed Dec. 13, 1961, Ser.No. 159,%7 8 Claims. (Cl. 114-84) This invention relates generally toboats, and more particularly to a novel aluminum planking constructionfor boat hulls.

The relatively high cost of manufacturing and maintaining planked woodenboats has created a need for a boat construction that eliminates theseproblems. Various plastic boat constructions have been proposed to solvethis problem and to some extent do reduce maintenance problems. However,such plastic boats, at the present state of art, are subject tocracking, checking and surface deterioration and have proved to begenerally unsatis factory in some environments.

The present invention is directed to a novel extruded aluminum plankingconstruction that is relatively easy to assemble and seal and isinherently impervious to the forms of deterioration characteristic ofwood and plastic hulls. The planks transmit lateral stress to oneanother independently of the vector of the stress and are rotatablerelative to one another so that any desired hull configuration can beplanked. The herein disclosed planking construction is adaptable for usewith developable, non-developable, lapstrake or conventional smooth hullconstructions.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is an improved boatconstruction.

Another object is a hull construction for a boat that is impervious todeterioration.

Another object is a planked aluminum hull construction.

Another object is a planked aluminum hull construction that isrelatively easily assembled.

Another object is a planked aluminum hull construction that isrelatively easily sealed.

Another object is a planked aluminum hull construction wherein stress istransmitted laterally between adjacent planks.

Another object is a planked aluminum hull construction wherein theplanks are rotatable relative to one another about an axis extendingbetween and generally parallel to the planks.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following specification, claims anddrawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the boat hull utilizing the 1 plankedaluminum construction of the instant invention; FIG. 2 is across-sectional view taken substantially within the circle 2 of FIGURE1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the interlocking edgeportions of a pair of planks at an initial stage of assembly;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the planksat an intermediate stage of assembly; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 a planks 24 havinglike upper edge portions 26 and like lower edge portions 28,respectively. The upper and lower edge portions 26, 28 of the planks 24are interlocked with one another to form a relatively rotatable, easilyscalable, stress transmitting junction, as will be described.

The upper edge portion 26 of each plank 24 is of generally circularcross-sectional configuration defined by a pair of generally arcuatelips 30 and 32 acceptable in a complementary circular channel portion 34in the lower edge 28 of the next adjacent plank 24. The circular channel34 in the lower edge 23 of each plank 24 is defined by a circular fingerportion 36, a lower end 38 of which is accepted between the arcuatelower lip 32 and a generally concentrically and radially spaced lockingprojection 40 on the upper edge portion 26 ot' the plank 24. The upperedge portion 26 of each plank 24 has a central longitudinally extendingrecess 42 between the lips 30 and 32 thereof that communicates with thechannel 34 in the lower edge portion 28 of the next adjacent plank 24for the acceptance of a sealing compound 44, for example, a Thiokolbased sealant. The sealing compound 44 is injected longitudinally of thechannel 34 and recess 42 as by a pressure applicator (not shown).Alternatively, the sealing compound 44 may be injected through aperturesdrilled laterally through the finger portion 36 of the lower edge 21$ ofeach plank 24. If desired, a blind rivet 46 can be driven through anaperture and a complementary aperture 48 in a rib 50 thereby to rigidlyhold the assembled planks 24 against the rib 50. It is to be noted thatthe upper lip 3% on the edge 26 of each plank 24 is engaged with adownwardly depending generally pointed edge portion 52 on the lower edge28 of the next adjacent plank 24-, the lower lip 32 engaging theterminal end portion 33 of the finger 36 on the lower edge 23 of thenext adjacent plank 24. Thus, after assembly of. the planks 24 thejunction therebetween is capable of transmitting lateral stress alongany vector. The locking portion 40 on the upper edge 26 of each plank 24serves to pin the end portion 38 of the finger as on the next adjacentplank 24 against the lower lip 32 on the upper edge 25 therebyprecluding bending or distortion under load.

' It is also to be noted that the sealing compound 44 extends betweensealing surfaces within the channel 34 and recess 42 in the lower andupper ends 28 and 26, respectively, of each plank 24. In other words,the sealant 44 is disposed on the outboard side of all possible passagesbetween the planks 24. Thus, no through-the hull apertures are requiredto be sealed to effect sealing between adjacent planks 24. Further,there are no pressure-sealed surfaces to be parted upon working of theboat hull.

As best seen in FiGURES 3, 4 and 5 the hull 22 is assembled by firstplacing the upper lip 30 of one plank as into the circular channel 34 ofa next adjacent plank 24. The planks 2 are then rotated relative to oneanother, the lowermost plank, as seen in FIGURE 3 of the drawing,rocking about the point 52 on the edge port-ion 23 of the upper plank24. The planks 24 are rotated relative to one another until the lowerlip 32 of the lowermost plank 24 snaps past the terminal end portion 38of the finger 36 of the uppermost plank 24. Therethe two 'mo-st plank 24and a desired angular orientation is effected corresponding to a desiredhull contour. The sealant id is then injected longitudinally of thechannel Maud recess 42 to effect a seal therebetween. In this manner astress transmitting, water-tight junction is obtained between adjacentplanks 24.

It is to be understood that the terms upper and lower are for thepurpose of description only and that the planks 24 may be inverted ifdesired.

It is to be understood that the specific construction of the improvedplanking construction for boats and the like herein disclosed anddescribed is presented for the purpose of explanation and illustrationand is not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope ofwhich is defined by the fol-lowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A planking construction for a boat hull comprising a plurality ofelongated aluminum planks, one of said planks having a longitudinallyextending edge portion with a generally circular channel therein,another of said planks having a longitudinally extending edge portion ofcircular cross section complementary to the channel in said one plank soas to be rotatably acceptable therein in directly engaged universallateral stress transmitting relationship, said planks being rotatablerelative to one another and said stress-transmitting relationship beingmaintained upon such rotation, the periphery of the circular edgeportion on said another being relieved to facilitate assembly of saidplanks and whereby the juncture of the edge portions of said planksdefines a closed longitudinal-1y extending recess between andcommunicating with the edge portions of each said planks, and means insaid channel communicating with the edge portions of said planks foreffecting a seal therebetween.

2. A planking construction for a boat hull comprising a plurality ofelongated aluminum planks, one of said planks having a longitudinallyextending edge portion with a channel therein of circular cross section,another of said planks having a longitudinally extending edge portion ofcircular cross section complementary to the channel in said one plank soas to be acceptable therein in directly engaged universal lateral stresstransmitting relationship, the juncture of the edge portion of saidplanks defining a closed longitudinally extending recess between andcommunicating with each of the edge portions of said planks,respectively, and a sealing compound in said channel communicating withthe edge portions of said planks, respectively, to effect a sealtherebetween.

3. A planking construction for a boat hull comprising a plurality ofelongated aluminum planks, one of said planks having a longitudinallyextending edge portion with a channel therein of circular cross section,another of said planks having a longitudinally extending edge portion ofcircular cross section complementary to the channel in said one plank soas to be acceptable therein, the circular edge portion on said anotherplank being defined by a pair of oppositely directed circumferentiallyextending lips, said planks being directly engageable and rotatable withrespect to one another about the central axis of the channel in the edgeportion of said one plank, the juncture of the edge portion of saidplanks defining a longitudinally extending recess between andcommunicating with each of the edge portions of said planks,respectively, and a sealing compound in said channel communicating withthe edge portions of said planks, respectively, to effect a sealtherebetween.

4. A planking construction for a beat hull comprising a plurality ofelongated aluminum planks having a generally planar outer surface, oneof said planks having a longitudinally extending edge portion with achannel of circular cross section, the periphery of the channel beinggenerally tangentially related to the planar outer surface of the plank,another of said planks having a longitudinally extending edge portion ofcircular cross section complementary to the channel in said one plank soas to be acceptable therein in intimate universal lateral stresstransmitting relationship, the circular edge portion of said anotherplank being generally tangentially related to the planar outer surfacethereof, the circular cross section of said another plank being relievedat a point diametrically related to the planar surface thereof tofacilitate asembly and whereby the edge portions of said planks define aclosed longitudinally extending recess between and communicating witheach of the edge portions of said planks, respectively, said planksbeing rotatable relative to one another in the assembled condition toorientate the outer planar surfaces thereof at a desired angularrelationship, and means in said channel communicating with the edgeportions of said planks, respectively, for effecting a sealtherebetween.

5. A method of planking a boat hull with a plurality of elongatedaluminum planks each having a longitudinally extending edge portion witha channel of generally circular cross section and an oppositelongitudinally extending edge portion of generally circular crosssection complementary to the channel, the opposite edge portions of saidplanks being defined by a pair of arcuate oppositely directedcircumferentially extending lips having a recess therebetween, saidmethod comprising the steps of inserting the one of the lips on theopposite edge portion of one of said planks into the channel portion ofan adjacent plank, rotating said planks relative to one another about anaxis extending generally parallel to said planks and spaced from thecentral axis of the circular channel in said adjacent plank to engagethe other one of the lips on said one plank in the channel of saidadjacent plank, and rotating said planks relative to one another aboutthe central axis of the channel in said adjacent plank thereby to effecta stress transmitting junction between said planks.

6. A method of planking a boat hull with a pair of elongated extrudedplanks one of which has a longitudinally extending edge portion with anarcuate finger defining an interrupted channel of generally circularcross section and the other of which has a longitudinally extending edgeportion of generally circular cross section complementary to the channelin said one plank, the edge portion of other plank having a lockingprojection extending concentrically to and radially spaced from thecircular portion thereof, said method comprising the steps of insertingone side of the circular edge portion of said other plank into thechannel portion of said one plank, rotating said planks relative to oneanother about an axis extending generally parallel to said planks andspaced from the central axis of the circular channel in said one plankto engage the other side of the circular edge portion of said otherplank in the channel of said one plank, rotating said blanks relative toone another about the central axis of the channel in said one plank, andengaging the finger on said oneplank between the circular edge portionand locking projection on said other plank.

7. A method of planking a boat hull with a pair of elongated extrudedplanks one of which has a longitudinally extending edge portion with anarcuate finger defining an interrupted channel of generally circularcross section and the other of which has a longitudinally extending edgeportion of generally circular cross section complementary to the channelin said one plank, said planks having generally fiat outer surfaces,said method comprising, the steps of inserting one side of the circularedge portion of said other planks into the channel portion of said oneplank with the flat surface thereof orientated at an angle of less thandegrees, rotating said planks relative to one another about an axisextending generally parallel to said planks and spaced from the centralaxis of the circular channel in said one plank to engage the other sideof the circular edge portion of said other plank in the channel of saidone plank, and rotating said planks relative to one another about thecentral axis of the channel in said one plank.

8. A planking construction for a boat hull comprising a pair ofelongated extruded planks having generally fiat outer surfaces,respectively, one of said planks having a substantially tangentiallyrelated arcuate longitudinally extending finger along one edge thereofdefining a channel of circular transverse cross section, the other ofsaid planks having a longitudinally extending edge portion of circularcross section generally tangentially related to the outer surfacethereof and complementary to the channel in said one plank so as to beacceptable therein in closely interlocked lateral stress transmittingrelation, the finger on said one plank being interrupted for the acceptance of the circular edge portion of said other plank, the circularedge portion of said other plank being radially inwardly relievedgenerally diametrically opposed to the outer surface thereof tofacilitate assembly of said planks, said planks being rotatable withrespect to one another about the central axis of the channel in the edgeportion of said one plank when in the assembled condition, said otherplank having a locking projection extending generally concentrically toand radially spaced from the circular edge portion thereof, the fingerof said one plank being accepted between the locking projection andcircular edge portion of said other plank in stress transmittingrelation, the juncture of the edge portions of said planks defining alongitudinally extending channel between and communicating with the edgeportions thereof, respectively, and sealing means in said channelcommunicating with the edge portions of said planks, respectively, foreffecting a seal therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS225,172 Smith Mar. 2, 1880 2,322,160 Schlagel June 15, 1943 2,572,623Hoppenstand ct. 23, 1951 2,786,556 Constance Mar. 26, 1957 2,918,996Brown Dec. 29, 1959 3,029,052 Early et a1. Apr. 10, 1962 3,093,847Strecker June 18, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 113,476 Great Britain Feb. 20,1918 1,016,004 Germany Sept. 19, 1957 615,818 Canada Mar. 7, 1961615,819 Canada Mar. 7, 1961 615,820 Canada Mar. 7, 1961 616,268 CanadaMar. 14, 1961 616,693 Canada Mar. 21, 1961

1. A PLANKING CONSTRUCTION FOR A BOAT HULL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED ALUMINUM PLANKS, ONE OF SAID PLANKS HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING EDGE PORTION WITH A GENERALLY CIRCULAR CHANNEL THEREIN, ANOTHER OF SAID PLANKS HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING EDGE PORTION OF CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION COMPLEMENTARY TO THE CHANNEL IN SAID ONE PLANK SO AS TO BE ROTATABLY ACCEPTABLE THEREIN IN DIRECTLY ENGAGED UNIVERSAL LATERAL STRESS TRANSMITTING RELATIONSHIP, SAID PLANKS BEING ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER AND SAID STRESS-TRANSMITTING RELATIONSHIP BEING MAINTAINED UPON SUCH ROTATION, THE PERIPHERY OF THE CIRCULAR EDGE PORTION ON SAID ANOTHER BEING RELIEVED TO FACILITATE ASSEMBLY OF SAID PLANKS AND WHEREBY THE JUNCTURE OF THE 